News
Dr. Rasha Kelej: Leading with purpose and style
In the world of global philanthropy and international development, leadership often focuses on strategy, policy, and impact. Yet for Dr. Rasha Kelej, leadership is also about presence, authenticity, and inspiration.
As the CEO of Merck Foundation and a driving force behind numerous initiatives empowering women and strengthening healthcare capacity across Africa, Dr. Kelej has built a reputation not only as a global leader but also as a figure who embodies confidence, elegance, and individuality.
Her leadership style reflects a modern philosophy: strength and style can coexist.
Leadership Beyond the Boardroom
Dr. Kelej works closely with more than thirty African First Ladies and government leaders to address critical social challenges—from breaking infertility stigma to supporting girls’ education and strengthening medical capacity.
Her work has impacted thousands of doctors and millions of people across the continent.
But beyond the boardrooms and international conferences, Dr. Kelej believes that leadership is also about the message one sends through presence and personal expression.
“Leadership today is multidimensional,” she often explains. “It is not only about ideas and policies but also about how you inspire others.”
Fashion as a Language of Confidence
For Dr. Kelej, fashion has always been a personal passion.
Known for her distinctive style and love of elegant high heels, she views fashion as more than aesthetics. To her, it represents discipline, creativity, and attention to detail—qualities that also define effective leadership.
Whether attending international forums, speaking at global conferences, or meeting young scholars supported by the foundation’s programs, she carefully curates her looks to reflect both professionalism and personality.
“Fashion allows me to express who I am,” she says. “It is a form of communication without words.”
Inspiring Women to Embrace Their Identity
One of Dr. Kelej’s core beliefs is that women should never feel they must suppress their individuality to succeed in leadership.
In many professional environments, women are often encouraged to conform to rigid expectations. Dr. Kelej challenges that notion by demonstrating that a woman can lead global initiatives while celebrating her identity and style.
Her message to young women is clear: leadership and femininity are not mutually exclusive.
“Women can be powerful leaders while remaining authentic to who they are,” she says.
A New Vision of Leadership
Today’s world demands leaders who can inspire across cultures and generations.
Through her work and her personal brand, Dr. Kelej represents a new model of leadership—one that blends purpose, confidence, compassion, and creativity.
In this model, fashion is not simply about trends. It becomes part of a larger narrative about self-expression, empowerment, and the courage to stand confidently in one’s own identity.
Because true leadership, she believes, is not only about changing systems.
It is also about inspiring people to believe in their own power to lead.
News
Oxfam in Ghana donates medical equipment and essential drugs worth GH¢1.5 million to Kasoa Polyclinic
Oxfam in Ghana has donated medical equipment and essential drugs worth about GH¢1.5 million to the Kasoa Polyclinic to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the municipality.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, at the premises of the clinic in Kasoa, formed part of the sustainability and legacy activities under the Power to Choose (P2C) Project.
The donated items included delivery beds, maternity beds, oxygen cylinders, neonatal resuscitation equipment, blood pressure monitors, newborn weighing scales, suction machines, delivery kits, essential medicines, medical theatre wear and other critical supplies to support quality healthcare delivery.
The Power to Choose Project is a seven-year initiative being implemented by Oxfam in Ghana in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), WiLDAF Ghana, SEND Ghana, Norsaac and PARDA, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Quebec.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people, particularly adolescent girls, young women and young men living in vulnerable and marginalised conditions.
Addressing nurses and management of the hospital, the Country Director for Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said the project, which began in 2021 and will run until early 2028, is being implemented in seven countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He said Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the two African countries benefiting from the project.
Mr. Adam noted that the project has already trained about 102 health workers in areas including youth-friendly services, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, family planning, gender-based violence response, respectful maternity care and inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said Oxfam and its partners conducted assessments at beneficiary facilities and identified equipment needs to help improve healthcare delivery.
According to him, the donation would create safe spaces where young women and girls could seek healthcare services without fear or stigma and would improve health outcomes in the community.
Mr. Adam thanked the Government of Canada, the Ghana Health Service, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), World Health Ghana and other partners for supporting the implementation of the project.
He urged the beneficiary facilities to ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained to serve the community for many years.
A speech by the Municipal Health Director for Awutu Senya East, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, which was read on his behalf by the Municipal Accountant, Rev. Dr. Askari Thomas, described the donation as timely and important.
He said quality healthcare delivery depends on manpower, financial resources and equipment, adding that healthcare workers cannot effectively deliver services without the necessary tools.
Dr. Yaidoo thanked Oxfam and its partners for selecting Kasoa as one of the beneficiary facilities and assured them that the equipment would be put to good use.
The Acting Medical Superintendent of Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Papa Kojo Arthur, expressed appreciation to Oxfam for its continuous support over the years through training and capacity building.
He said the equipment would greatly support the effective management of patients, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the donation would help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the municipality.
The donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of youth-friendly health facilities in eight implementing districts across five regions of Ghana to continue providing quality and accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare services beyond the lifespan of the project.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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